Ontario Makes It Easier to Become a Certified Teacher: What Parents Should Know
Source: CBC
Big changes are happening in Ontario's education system — and they could impact your child’s classroom soon.
In response to the province-wide teacher shortage, the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) has announced it is simplifying and speeding up its certification process. This means more qualified teachers — especially those trained outside of Canada — will soon be able to enter Ontario classrooms faster than before.
What’s Changing?
Previously, internationally trained teachers had to submit a long list of documents, which could take months or even years to be verified. The process included:
Transcripts
Proof of teaching experience
Language proficiency documents
Criminal background checks
Now, the College is shortening that list — focusing only on the essential documents and accepting more digitally verified credentials. This not only reduces bureaucratic delays, but also gives well-trained professionals a faster route into Ontario schools.
Why Is This Happening?
Ontario — like many places — is facing a critical shortage of certified teachers, particularly in:
French-language education
Special education
Math and Science
Rural and Northern communities
By accelerating the certification of international candidates, the province hopes to:
Fill more classrooms with qualified teachers
Reduce class sizes
Ensure consistent instruction throughout the school year
What Does This Mean for Parents and Students?
This is good news — especially for parents concerned about:
Class cancellations due to teacher shortages
Frequent substitute teacher rotations
Burnout among existing educators
It also means Ontario’s classrooms will become more diverse, bringing in educators with global experience and multicultural perspectives, which can enrich your child’s learning environment.
Are Standards Being Lowered?
Not at all.
The College has made it clear that teaching standards remain high. All applicants still need to meet:
Academic qualifications
Language fluency
Ethical and safety standards
What’s changing is how efficiently the system verifies those qualifications — not the level of quality expected from teachers.
Final Thoughts: Supporting Quality Education in Ontario
As an education provider, IntelliPaths welcomes efforts that bring more passionate, qualified educators into our communities. Making certification more accessible — without compromising quality — is a step toward creating stronger classrooms and more stable learning experiences for Ontario students.
We’ll continue monitoring these changes and how they affect families in our community. In the meantime, if you're looking for personalized support in English, Math, or Science, our certified tutors are here to help!
